Hi Beth,
Good point about how to deliver your course content. The students need to be shown relevancy and application. When you help them see these two components you will have engaged and focused students.
Gary
I feel it is very important that I present my class material in a way that will keep my students interested. To not only give them book knowledge but pass on real world knowledge in their chosen career field.
Hi James,
You make a very good point about how to bring a professional atmosphere into the classroom. All of the components you listed need to be made a part of your instructional planning.
Gary
I suppose it would mean to be professional in your language, attitude, and dress. Use real life examples from the field I teach about and try to bring the students into the situation to see if they understand why things are done a certain way. If I talk with them on a professional level then I think they are more inclined to think and speak in a professional manor. I also try to pick techniques from other instructors since I was not trained as an instructor in my career.
As an instructor, I define instructional professionalism as the ability to present information in an clear, organized manner, while remaining professional at all times. In other words in a way that the instructor meets requirements and experctations of an instructor while be able to deliver content as needed.
Hi Ralph,
You make a good point about there not being one single definition that fits every teaching situation. Good input on how to approach instructional professionalism.
Gary
I'm not sure that there is a single definition. I think that instructional professionalism has to do with both the content of a course, the instructor as well as the educational institution.
Content needs to be relevant, accurate and current [as well as forward looking].
Instructional Professionalism for the instructor means that the instructor has the competencies required in the subject being taught, that the educational experience provided by the instructor reflects current business/industry requirements and that the behavior of the instructor is on a professional level.
For the institution, instructional professionalism means that the students are provided accurate information about graduation requirements, placement numbers, as well as any aid the student may need for success.
Hi Timothy,
You have outlined a way of expanding your professional expertise as well as being an effective instructor. Keep looking forward to how you can increase your skills as an educator and as a result teaching will become even more enjoyable.
Gary
Instructional Professionalism is really the combination of three aspects of instruction. First, it involves effectivley presenting the course material. Developing a teaching methodology that revovles around providing the information that students need. Second, Instructional Professionalism deals with setting the proper example. Students look to instructors to demonstrate "How one should act". Instructors have a responsibility to demonstrate and immulate professionalism in the classroom. Lastly, Instuctional Professionalism involves assesment. The effectiveness of an instructor is primarily communicated by how students demonstrate what was learned. This means that there has to be accurate measures of assesment to evaluate student's understanding of the course material.
Be Prepared. Have all class room and lab materials ready. Be mentally and technically prepared to present all information accurately and confidently. Be able to answer all questions quickly and accurately. Be groomed and dressed properly.
To me instructional professionalism means instructing in a professional way by dressing professional and displaying professional behavior to the adult learners. I feel that when adult learners see this they will more than likely follow. For me, my learners are to be in scrubs for every class and have a dress code to follow. If I do not follow the same dress code, they will start to feel that they do not need to also.
By adhering to the protocols and ethics
of the teaching environent and folowing the institute policy and proceedures without deviating from what is expected of instructor while teaching and conveying to the students
the standards expected in the profession
by demonstartion and sharing experiences of professional field
Hi James,
Good points. I am excited for you and your professional development as an educator. You are going to have much success along with your students as you all work through your course content.
Gary
Hi Victor,
Right you are about the instructor needing to be a model for the students. What are some ways that you serve as a model for your students?
Gary
Instructional professionalism to me: Is the way an instructor carries him/herself all the way through the subject being covered. Consistency in the work ethic and the charactor of the instructor for me will determine whether or not the information I learn will be valuable enough to retain and put to use in my day to day troubleshooting and repairs to be made.I also like it when there is a balance of lecture and hands on application during a course study coupled together with a clear method of how the course will provide me with facts that I can carry with me for a good working knowledge of my final goals to be achieved.
I really think the 3 M's will be a asset to me as I go forward in the instruction field.
the professor has to be a role model to many individuals while he is in class as well as being outside the classroom setting.
being able to dress appropriately, the instructor has to be on time. Furthermore, the professor has to be knowledgeable on the material that he is teaching.
Hi Allen,
Good advice for all instructors. We have to be able to change directions when needed, be creative in our approaches, and let the students know we are humans just like them. The above combination will earn us their respect as models in our field.
Gary
Hi Marlena,
It seems all students like to hear about mistakes their instructors have made when they were in the field. Generally these stories can shared in a humorous way so they are entertaining as well as informative. So share the mistakes and show your students how we are all human and that we can grow as a result of overcoming those mistakes and expanding our knowledge and expertise.
Gary
Being a model prefoessional is being able to go with the flow and hadle any concerns and personalities you will face.
